Besides seeing the historic Ellis Barn when traveling to Springfield Oaks County Park, future visitors will see plants who thrived when the barn stood near Dixie Highway in the late 19th century.
The Master Gardeners through Michigan State Extension and the 4H Gardeners Restore Our World Club (GROW) worked together the last few months to plan a 30-by-30 foot heirloom garden to be put near the barn.
‘The Heirloom Garden is using plants that are older. In this case with the Ellis Barn, we’ll be putting in plants common in the 1880’s,? said Carol Lenchek, Environmental Programs Coordinator with Oakland County MSU Extension.
‘I thought it would be nice to put a garden there that reflected the plants grown at that time,? said Lenchek, who came up the idea about a year ago.
Lenchek listed the criteria to be a heirloom plant are:
? Plants must be 50 years old.
? Plants grow ‘true to seed.?
? Plants have a traceable history of its own.
According to Lenchek, the groups hope to grow samples of the plantings in whiskey barrels as a preview of the future garden this summer for the 4-H fair in July.
‘We’re not just talking about rows and tracks of plants,? said Lenchek. ‘It’s more of a landscape than a garden. It will take time.?
Some obstacles before the garden can be implemented include waiting for the move of a historic house, approval of procedures through Oakland County Parks and the kids need to research the plants for the garden, explained Lenchek.
Elisabeth Maurer, 16, of White Lake, a member of GROW, looks at the garden as an opportunity to learn a wide range of skills including time management, gardening and communication with the press.
‘I’ve learned a lot about garden design and styles’You also get to meet new people enjoy the experience and say ‘Hey, I helped make that happen,?? said Maurer.
Lenchek concurred, saying the children would learn researching different gardening techniques in addition to antique plants, dealing with deer problems, public speaking and government operations.
Both Maurer and Lenchek expressed the need for volunteers and donations of supplies and money. Currently, GROW has approximately six members and welcomes children ages 5 ? 19.
As stated in a flier Maurer presented at the Community Expo on April 1, the garden needs time, manual labor and supplies. A vehicle is also needed to transport compost and the soil of the garden beds need preparation.
For more information or to help with donations, call Elisabeth Maurer at 248-342-2563, Heather McAtee of MSU extension at 248-858-0892, or Carol Lenchek at 248-858-0900.